Code Warrior scores upset in Hendrie Stakes

Code Warrior (far right) survives a pace battle to score by three-quarters of a length under Anne Sanguinetti in the Hendrie Stakes.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The former Northern California runner Code Warrior put away the other speed and kept on going to take the Grade 3, $129,050 Hendrie Stakes under Anne Sanguinetti at Woodbine on Sunday.

Code Warrior ($25.80) dueled with Chic Thrill through moderate splits in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares. She opened up a daylight lead early in the stretch, and got home on top by three-quarters of a length over Minks Aprise, who had rallied stoutly from last through traffic in the 10-horse field.

Jennifer Lynnette finished a half-length back third, while the favored Miss Ella wound up fourth after lacking room. The final time was 1:16.80.

Code Warrior was adding blinkers off a third-place finish in the restricted Ballade Stakes here May 14.

“I’ve been riding her since she was 2,” Sanguinetti said. “She’s a little quirky. She has her own way of doing things. Everybody thought it was better to stick with what works. She’s very particular. Everything has to be her way. You have to very light with her. She’s just a horse you have to know. It worked out exactly how I hoped it would.”